Khao Yai is one of the top tourist destinations in Thailand. Located near the border with Cambodia, the national park covers both sides of the Phetchabun Mountains. It is known for its spectacular scenery and wildlife. Khao Yai offers a variety of activities, including trekking and bird watching among others. If you are planning a trip to this beautiful place, here are some things that you should do when visiting Khao Yai:
How to get there
Khao Yai is a two to three-hour drive east of Bangkok, depending on traffic. If you are driving yourself and have your own vehicle, the best way to get there is through Suvarnabhumi Airport. From Suvarnabhumi Airport, head south on Route 7 toward Pattaya Beach Road (Route 3). Continue through two toll booths until you reach Highway 32. Take Highway 32 west toward Phetchaburi Province for approximately 100 kilometres before turning left onto Highway 3069 at Km 93. Follow signs for Nakhon Nayok Province and then continue for about 40 kilometres until you reach Khao Yai National Park headquarters at Km 169.
Stay at glamping camping sites
There are several glamping camping sites in Khao Yai National Park. Glamping is a luxury camping experience that combines the solitude of backpacking with creature comforts like electricity and toilets. Glamping sites are popular with tourists because they can enjoy the natural beauty of Thailand without compromising their comfort.
The area around Khao Yai is also home to some of the best luxury resorts in Thailand. Most of them offer guests a wide range of amenities including golf courses, swimming pools, spas and restaurants.
Where to eat in Khao Yai
Khao Yai is a great place to eat. The food is affordable, plentiful, and delicious. There are so many different types of food that you can find something for everyone’s taste buds. If you’re looking for traditional Thai cuisine, there are plenty of options including Kaeng Khaeo (a sour soup made from fermented fish) or Som Tam (papaya salad).
If you want something more westernized, there are also plenty of Western restaurants that serve international fares such as burgers or pizza. You’ll also find some great European bakeries serving croissants and pastries along with coffee and tea shops offering hot beverages like coffee gelato or cold milkshakes.
Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai National Park is Thailand’s oldest national park, and it’s also the largest in all of Thailand. The park is home to over 50 species of mammals, including tigers, elephants and gibbons (a type of monkey). There are over 500 bird species that can be found within its boundaries as well.
Khao Yai National Park is a popular destination for tourists who want to see some wildlife up close. There are a number of tours offered by local companies that will take you deep into the jungle—on foot or by vehicle—to see some amazing sights like waterfalls and other natural landmarks. If you’re looking for even more adventure than just viewing these sights from afar however then hiking through Khao Yai might be right up your alley.
Lam Takong River
The Lam Takong River is a popular spot for rafting and kayaking, but it’s also an excellent place to swim. The river is flowing nicely during the rainy season, so if you’re looking for a place to cool off, this might be your best bet. It’s also a great area for fishing.
The recommended time of year to visit this region would be between November and April when the water level of the river is at its highest point. However, if you’d like to see the area in peak condition (which may not always be possible), you should aim to visit sometime around March or April—this way you’ll have access to more than enough water levels during your trip.
Sai Ngam Hot Springs
Located in the Sai Ngam Waterfall, this hot spring is a popular tourist destination and is open year-round. The water of this natural hot spring is said to have healing properties, which has led many people to visit it over the years. There are many things that you can do at Sai Ngam Hot Springs, including swimming or relaxing in the shallow pools of warm water.
Khao Luang Cave
Khao Luang Cave is located in Khao Yai National Park, about 20 kilometres from the park headquarters. To get there, you can either hire a taxi or drive yourself (you’ll need to register your vehicle at the park office). Khao Luang Cave is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
To visit this cave, you should wear light clothes and comfortable shoes as well as bring along a flashlight or headlamp to light your way through dark caves. If you want to explore deeper into the cave, hiking boots will be useful as well. The temperature inside is cool so don’t forget your sweater. Bring some water with you because it’s dry inside and there aren’t any places where you can buy drinks nearby either—the best thing to do would be to buy them before entering so that they’ll stay cold longer.
Visiting Khao Luang Cave isn’t too challenging but if possible we recommend going during daylight hours since it’s much safer than after sunset. The best time depends on what kind of experience travellers want from their trip – some might prefer seeing beautiful scenery during sunrise/sunset while others may prefer experiencing darkness underground without any light source whatsoever.
Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall
Located within Khao Yai National Park, Pha Kluai Mai Waterfall is a popular tourist destination and well-known for its beauty. The waterfall itself is not quite as tall as other waterfalls in Thailand, but it’s still a stunning sight to behold. It’s also home to an impressive pool at the bottom which provides plenty of opportunity for swimming or just cooling off after hiking through the park.
Conclusion
Khao Yai National Park is a beautiful place with many things to do and see. Nature lovers will find plenty of activities to keep themselves busy, while those looking for something a little more relaxing can enjoy the hot springs or take part in some of the park’s hiking trails.
